Fluid dispensing apparatus



March 3, 1953 L. B. sT. PETERY ErAL FLUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 8, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET .l

2 SHEETS- SHEET 2 .mv Sv Mx-ch 3, 1953 Filed Nov. 8. 1950 Patented Mar. 3, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIcE.

FLUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Louis B. St. Petery and Walter4 B. lHoward-Jacksonville, Fla., and Charles Fink Fischer, United States Navy Application November 8, 1950,.Se`rial No..194,700

(Granted under Title 35,` U.1'S.Co`de '(1952),

f sec. 266) 8 Claims.

This `invention relates to`fluid dispensing apparatus, `particularly intended for use with `aerosolmixtures containing many types of active ingredients. Theiapparatus is well suited for use in connection `with stationary as well. asmobile finstallationafand has already been eminently i satisfactory in the, so-called disinfection.. of aircraft.

The iluid. dispensing apparatus contemplated herein comprises an aerosol. supply reservoir,l an

. aerosol dispensing unit remote from the reservoir, conduit means connecting fthe unit with the reservoinwthe dispensing unit including a storage i vessel,.a discharge nozzle, and a valve interposed i between the vessel `and nozzle, and means remote from the` unit for actuating the valve. The

supply reservoir is `preferablylocated in a relatively warm environment, While the aerosol dispensing unit remote therefrom is preferably located in `an. environment cooler than that in which the reservoiris' located. .The valveinter- `posedbetween the vesseland nozzle is preferably electromagnetically actuated for. many.. applications of the inVention,-in which cases, therremote `actuating meansmay .assume :the form of electrical switching apparatus.

.More specifically, such remote actuating means may be automatic timecontrolled cycling .means for opening and closingthe valve. I In .agreatmany of the installations contemplated for .the present invenf-tio`n, Athere'willbe apluralityof such aerosol dis- Apensimg.unitsrand the remote .actuating `means `will-ordinarily operate. the valves of thcseunits inuniscn. Avalvedcoupling is preferably carried by the conduitineans forclosing it upon disconnection `ofthe unittherefrom to avoid 'the escape `ot Vany...appreciable quantity of the con- -tained fluid, A. quickly. detachable. coupling is `.also .preferably carried. byfthe conduit means and 1 unit,fthe actuating means `remote from the unitgr `communicating with the unit through the cou-u `plingfor actuating the valve.

The apparatus preferably comprises an aerosol supply conduit, a dispensing unit separably confluid supply con-duit with the una, 'the cnuung also `preferably establishesl an' electrical connec- 'tion `between a source 'of current and an actuating solenoid carried by the unit for operatinga valve the vessel and nozzle, anl electrical fwin'ding' for used to `establish "communication betweenfthe vessel and nozzle. "The preferredform *of the funit here under consideration contains a `plurality of valves serially disposed between the conduit and'n'ozzle, andin the interest oflsimplicityand Jcompa'ctn'ess, a commonspringis used" tobias twoof these valves towards their 'closdpolsitions one 4of the valves `'beingthat which is electromagnetically controlled, and the other beinga 15 check' valve. lThefstorage vesselfis preferably magnetic material, and as compared withits volume, has aflarge surface area for 'efectivecoolcomposed `of a "thermallyconductive and paraing of the aerosolmixture which'it contains. The electromagnetic "valve arrangement 'utilizes an armature inthe unit'. controlling a port between 'fenergizingthet armature, and 1a" tapered" end Lon the armature `to .provide .la large surface in the kmagnetic circuit. The"` electromagnetically actuated valve (is preferably of the" reciprocatory type `and `contains one or more longitudinal passages for the Sowfrof `iiuid. The 'valve'u body .fis preferablyannularyreceiving a disc in one Sof'its ends for `cooperationwith. a seat, one 'surface fof the discengagingithe seat` and .the opposed `surface being .in continuous 1 communicatiowwth .the vessel.

A more 'complete'understanding of therinvention will follow 4fromfa' descriptionnof thexdraw- .ings wherein:

I'ig;` 1r is ai somewhat diagrammaticrepresentation of a systemembodying the invention;

'Fig.. 2A is a\sectional"'elevation` takenwalong :line

Fig. 2; and

Fig. `5 is-a section takenvalong .line AEL-Frfoi. 'Fig..12.

The apparatus depicted in the `drawings includes a'supply* reservoir VIl) for the aerosol `mixtures to be dispensed, a control valve I2 form establishing i communication between` theV supply. reservoir .and

4conduits I6 containingfa:solenoidvalve I8, aflter 20, 1.a manual shutso' valve 22, i andi as "depicted in Fig. 1,2:interconnecting @the several -'dispensing Vunits themselves.

-theremotefdispensing units -I4 throughfsuitable `-.Electricalfswitchingsapparatus] dcconnectedmto supply leads 26 through a main switch 28, serves to remotely control the solenoid valve I8 through a conductor 30, and actuates the dispensing units |4 through an electrical conductor 32. Inasmuch as one side of the electrical system is shown as connected to ground 34 adjacent the switch 28, one side of the winding of the solenoid valve I8 is also connected to ground as are the windings of the individual dispensing units.

The supply reservoir is maintained in a warm environment or area, diagrammatically represented in Fig. 1 as being to the left of the broken line 36. The dispensing units themselves, shown to the right of this broken line, are maintained in a relatively cool environment or area, in order that the temperature diiferential will be suflicient to maintain a fluid flow throughout the conduits from the supply reservoir to the dispensing units by means of the pressure Within the supply reservoir without the use of supplemental pumping apparatus in the conduits. This temperature differential is vthe preferred means of preventing vaporization within the conduits, since it eliminates the need for compression pumps which would add to the weight and complexity of systems constructed according to the instant invention.

Each of the dispensing units I4 comprises a Storage vessel 38 and a discharge expansion nozzle A40 whose characteristics promote additional cooling in the area occupied by the dispensing units.

Each of the nozzles 40 contains a plurality of laterally disposed small bores 42, a lter 44 being carried within each nozzle adjacent the discharge ports. As depicted in Fig. 2, the nozzle is secured to the nose piece 46 of the dispensing unit by the clamping action of an internally threaded sleeve 48. The nose piece is provided with an internal'bore 50 which establishes communication between the source of fluid and the chamber 52 within the nozzle itself. The other end of the bore 50 terminates in a relatively sharp annular lip 54 defining a valve seat. Externally, the nose piece 4B carries a flange 58 serving as an abutment for a deformable gasket 58 having another surface engaged by the end of an internally threaded hub to which one portion of the storage vessel 38 is secured by means of a weld 64. The hub 60 is provided with a plurality of radial openings 68 to establish communication between thestorage vessel 38 and the internal bore 50 of the nose piece, at such times as'the valve seat 54 is uncovered. The opposite end of the storage Vvessel 38 is connected by a weld B8 to a ange 10 formed on the main body member l2. It will be evident from Fig. 2 that the storage vessel 38 assumes the form of a thin walled shell having a bell member 'i4 receiving `a spigot member 'I6 secured together by an annular weld 18. A portion of the main body member projecting forwardly from the flange 'I0 defines a pole piece 80 whose end is inclined with respect to a radius of the body member, so as to provide a relatively large pole tip for cooperation with an armature 82 having an end 84 complementary to the pole face 80, and another and containing a counterbore 86 to receive a valve disc 88 for cooperation Vwith the valve seat 54. Thus it will follow that the armature 82 also serves as a valve body. The member 82 is provided with an internal bore 30 to maintain communication between the rear surface of the valve disc 88 and the storage vessel 38, to avoid any tendency which might otherwise occur to force the disc from its counterbore. Communication between the storage vessel and the valve body 82 is maintained through inclined passages 92 extending from the internal bore 94 of the main body member to an intermediate portion of the storage vessel. The valve body or armature 82 contains a plurality of longitudinal grooves 86 through which fluid can flow freely to avoid any pumping action as result of reciprocatory movements of the valve body or armature 82'.

The main body member 12 and the hub 60 are bridged by a non-magnetic sleeve 98 which serves as a spool for an electromagnetic winding |00 located within the storage vessel 38 between the hub 8 and main body member 12. The hub 60, main body member 'I2 and the halves of the shell defining the storage vessel 33 are composed of paramagnetic material to serve as a part of the flux path within which the armature-valve body 82 operates.

The internal bore of the main body member 'I2 is provided with a thread |02 for the reception of a check valve |04 of the well known type used in the tubes of pneumatic tires, the spring |08 of this valve serving its usual function, and in addition, having a bearing upon a portion of the armature 82 and biasing it towards its closed position with its disc 88inrengagement with its seat 54. In this device check valve |04 is operative to permit the flow of fluid under pressure into the storage vessel 38 and effective in its normally closed position to prevent the ow of fluid out of the storage vessel 38 through the internal bore and out the open end of main body member l2. Consequently, fluid contained in the storage vessel 38 will not be released and lost when the dispensing unit I4 is disconnected from the conduit.

The lange 10 of the main body member 12 is penetrated by a plurality of openings |08, each of which receives a bushing ||0 through which a screw I|2 is passed in fluid tight relationship with the ange, the bushing being composed of a suitable packing composition. 'The threaded end of the screw ||2 receives a fiber Washer or the like I|4 and a nut IIB. The head |I8 of the screw bears upon a recessed portion of a conducting ring |20, between which and the flange l0, a body of insulating material |22 is interposed. The ring |20 has a longitudinally extending portion |24 which serves to establish electrical communication between the winding |00 and a source of current, and serves the further function of actuating a quickly attachable and detachable coupling |26 by the mere insertion of the main body member into a suitable socket. For purposes of this coupling operation, the main body member is provided with an annular groove |28 having inclined walls |30 for cooperation with a suitable number of balls |32 carried by radial pockets |34 of the socket member |36. The socket member |36 is provided with an internal bore |38 for reception of the grooved end of the main body member 12, the internal bore |38 terminating at a `shoulder |40 against which a toroidal or other suitable deformable sealing member |42 is deformed by the tapered end portion |44 of the body member '12. Within the body member l2, near its open end, a spider |46 is threadedly received for cooperation with the stem |48 of a plunger operated disconnect valve |50 carried within the socket member |36. The passage controlled by this disconnect valve I50, is

accom? depicted in Fig. :2 `as communlcatingvwith apassage-|52 atgrightangles thereto. 'It will be noted 4thatythe valve A,|58 is another familiar type employed commonly in connection with pneumatic tubes Afor automobile tires, which has a biasing .spring inside. In .this devicethe disconnect valve `|50 is .effective in its closed position to seal the passage '|52 in the conduit against the loss of uid `when the dispensing vunit "I4 is disconnected "from `the conduit, and operative 'when Athestem.

|48 is deflected by the spider |46 to Vpermit the fiow of fluid intoV the dispensing unit from the conduit.

'lhe socketmember |36 provides an outer cylindrical surface |54 covered by an annular sleeve A|156 ofelectrical Vinsulating material, and an an- -nularw Sher .l 5 8 of similarinsulatns material is interposed'between a shoulder |60 formed on the dispensing-unit is -removed 4from .the socket |36.y

The actuating ring |12 engages the end of the spring |66 remote from `the conducting fingers |64, -asresult of-which, the `actuating ring |12 is biasedtowardsthe leftas viewed in Fig. `2.

The actuating ring |12 is also retainedwithin the sleeve |68 vbyrneans -of a retaining ring |1| and urged into Acontact `with 'this retaining ring by means of a spring |14 whose other end bears upon a portion of the sleeve |68 defined `by a counterbore |16. The sleeve |68 is formed with an internal cam surface |18 for cooperation with the balls |32, and an annular chamber |80 into which the balls can be moved radially in their retracted positions for removal of the dispensing units, the sleeve also providing a confining surface |82 for maintaining the balls in their latching positions to secure the dispensing unit assembled with the socket member. The conductig ring |62 receives a conducting threaded member |84 carrying a nut |86 and washers |88 for reception of the electrical conductors 32 for actuation of the electromagnetic valves defined by the windings |00 and armatures 82.

As will be clear to those skilled in the art, when the dispensing unit has been withdrawn from the socket member |36, the valve |50 will close to preventfthe escape of any of the fluid in the line |6, and the actuating ring |12 will be urged toward the open end of the socket member along with the sleeve |68 under the influence of the springs '|66 and |14. With the parts in these positions, when the dispensing unit is inserted into the socket member, the flange |24 will abut the actuating ring |12 tending to move it and its associated sleeve |68 towards the right, the cam surface |18 engaging the balls |32 tending to move them to their confined positions. As soon as the annular groove |28 registers with the balls |32, the sleeve |68 can move towards the right with its conning surface |82 in contact with the balls to effect a positive latching action. When it is desired to uncouple the parts, it is merely necessary to move the sleeve |68 towards the left to release the balls |32 into the chamber |80, under which conditions, the springs |66 and |14 will tend to urge the dispensing unit out- "6 wardly from'the socket member,the dispensing unit beingA completely removed by `the hand of `the operator. Itwill beevident as well that this fluid coupling and uncoupling operation is fattended by'a similar electrical coupling and uncoupling operation, the currentvpassing from the supply line 26 through `the timing apparatus 24, conductors 32, conductive ring |62 and fits con- Hductive -fingers |64, through the spring |66 and conductive actuating Vmember |12 to the flange |24, through the screws ||2 and suitable leads to the winding |00 of the electromagnetic Avalve. "When `thewinding of Vthis valve is energized, the armature 82 will be retracted to Vwithdraw the valve disc 88from itsseat 54, whereupon lfiuid Vwithin the reservoir `6,2 will -pass through the internal bore 50 of the nose piece 46, through the lter 44 `and nally. through the discharge ports 42 of the nozzle 40.

In the interests of Veconomy and eicientoperation, the fluid conduitsf`|6 are preferably `relatively small, since any break inthe system should not result in the loss of vany appreciable amount of material. Moreoven since it has `been found that intermittent operation inthe case of insecticides `is preferable to continuous o peration, the system can permit the supply within the 'storage vessels of the dispensing units to be replenished `from the supply reservoir between discharge operations. The timing of such operaticns `will beV effected `by a suitable time controlled switch housedwithin the apparatus 24, `whichwill also control the solenoid `valve I8 at predetermined intervals to completely shutoff or open the conduit |6 at the proper times.

Whereas only one specific form of `the apparatus has been illustrated for Vpurposes of `ex ample in describing this invention, 4variations will suggest themselves to those skilled inthe art, just as they have been realized already by the present inventors, and accordingly, the invention should not be restricted to the apparatus illustrated beyond the scope of the appended claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

We claim:

l. Fluid dispensing apparatus comprising an aerosol supply reservoir, a plurality of aerosol dispensing units remote from said reservoir, conduit means interconnecting said units with said reservoir, each dispensing unit including a storage vessel, a discharge nozzle and a valve interposed between said vessel and nozzle, and means remote from said units for actuating said valves in unison.

2. Fluid dispensing apparatus comprising an aerosol supply reservoir, an aerosol dispensing unit remote from said reservoir, conduit means interconnecting said unit with said reservoir, a valved coupling carried by said conduit means for closing the same upon disconnection of said unit therefrom, said dispensing unit including a storage vessel, a discharge nozzle and a valve interposed between said vessel and nozzle, and means remote from said unit for actuating said valve.

3. Fluid dispensing apparatus comprising an aerosol supply reservoir, an aerosol dispensing unit remote from said reservoir, conduit means interconnecting said unit with said reservoir, a quickly detachable coupling carried by said conduit means and unit, said dispensing unit including a storage vessel, a discharge nozzle 'and 'a valve interposed between sad vessel and nozzle,

andmeans remote from said unit and communieating therewith through said coupling for actuating said valve.

4. Fluid dispensing apparatus comprising an aerosol supply conduit, a current supply conductor, a vdispensing unit separably connected with said conduit and conductor; said unit including a storage vessel, a discharge nozzle, and a valve having an actuating solenoid for establishing communication between said vessel and nozzle; and a quickly attachable and detachable coupling separably connecting said conduit with said unit and said conductor with said solenoid.

5. Fluid dispensing apparatus comprising an aerosol supply conduit, a dispensing unit separably connected with said conduit; said unit including a storage Vessel, a discharge nozzle, and having iiuid passages for establishing communication between said conduit, vessel and nozzle; a plurality of valves serially disposed between said conduit and nozzle, and a common spring biasing two of said valves towards their closed positions.

6. Fluid dispensing apparatus comprising an aerosol supply conduit, a dispensing unit separably connected with said conduit; said unit including a storage vessel, a discharge nozzle, and having fluid passages for establishing communication between said conduit, vessel and nozzle;

an armature in said unit controlling a port beaerosol supply conduit, a dispensingunit separably connected with said conduit; said unit including a storage vessel and a discharge nozzle separably secured to said vessel, said unit having fluid passages for establishing communication between said conduit, vessel and nozzle; and a quickly attachable and detachable fluid coupling separably connecting said conduit and unit, said coupling containing valves biased towards their closed positions to prevent the loss of uid upon separation of said conduit and unit.

8. Fluid dispensing apparatus comprising an aerosol supply conduit, a dispensing unit separably connected with said conduit; said unit including a storage vessel composed of magnetic material, a discharge nozzle, and having fluid passages for establishing communication between said conduit, vessel and nozzle; a magnetic circuit including said Vessel, an armature controlled by said circuit, and a valve actuated by said armature for controlling one of said passages.

LOUIS B. ST. PETERY.. WALTER B. HOWARD.A

C. FINK FISCHER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date.

1,280,855 Rowland et al. Oct. 8,"1918 2,322,877 Parker June 29, 1943 2,506,936 Murray May 9, 1950 2,561,270 Felt July 17,1951

FOlRfERiNv PATENTS Number Country Date l 923,219 France Feb. 17', 1947 

